Letter from prison: Tim DeChristopher speaks: via @grist

Tim DeChristopher is followed by reporters as he walks to the courthouse before sentencing. Photo: Jennifer Prediger The following text appeared in a handwritten letter from Tim DeChristopher addressed to Grist’s Jennifer Prediger . If I had ever doubted the power of words, Judge Benson made their importance all too clear at my sentencing last month. When he sentenced me to two years in prison plus three years probation, he admitted my offense "wasn't too bad." The problem, Judge Benson insisted, was my "continuing trail of statements" and my lack of regret. Apparently, all he really wanted was an apology, and for that, two years in prison could have been avoided. In fact, Judge Benson said that had it not been for the political statements I made in public, I would have avoided prosecution entirely. As is generally the case with civil disobedience, it was extremely importa...